Retreat Camp in the Carpathians: How Teenagers from the Kherson Region Recovered and Discovered New Opportunities

As part of a joint project between the NGO “Progressive and Strong” and UNICEF, a retreat camp was held for 50 teenagers from the Kherson region. About 80% of the participants were children with various experiences of war-related trauma.

The camp took place in the mountainous region of Lviv Oblast, within the Skolivski Beskydy National Nature Park. The distance from urban noise and the safe environment were crucial for the participants’ psychological recovery.

Project coordinator Ievgeniia Shelest welcomed the children along with the team of instructors.

The camp program was designed so that every day was as full and varied as possible. The teenagers combined physical activity, creativity, learning, and relaxation, trying out new roles and discovering new interests.

Activities included hiking, rock climbing, floorball, creative workshops (handmade crafts, pottery, drawing), cooking, paracord weaving, board games, scavenger hunts, dance activities, and even an introduction to sign language.

A special focus was placed on mental health. Participants took part in psychological training sessions and had the opportunity to receive individual counseling from a psychologist.

The program also included classes on financial literacy and career guidance, where teenagers learned how to choose a future profession and write their own CVs.

Importantly, during the camp, children had the opportunity to catch up on educational gaps in certain school subjects.
A key part of the program was a meeting with Bohdan Ferens, founder of the NGO “Progressive and Strong.” He spoke about the organization’s activities and the opportunities available to young people thanks to UNICEF’s support.

Project manager Liudmila Kornuta led an interactive discussion on safety and preventing violence, during which participants received clear tools for handling difficult situations.

The meeting with veteran Artem Bondarev and rehabilitation specialist Yulia Babaeva was particularly moving. During a simulation workshop, the children learned how to interact with people with visual impairments and better understand their experiences.

The camp concluded with a final concert prepared by the participants themselves—another opportunity to express themselves and share their emotions.

The retreat camp served as a safe space where teenagers not only recovered from their traumatic experiences but also made new friends, discovered their strengths, and made plans for the future.

The initiative aims to support mental health, educational development, and the formation of an active youth community in regions affected by the war.

The event was held as part of a joint project between UNICEF and the NGO “Progressive and Strong”, “Strengthening Teaching and Learning Processes in the Southern Regions of Ukraine”.